“The United States government will continue to beat back barriers and speak out on behalf of the rights of all people the world over. We do this both because it’s our moral obligation, and because it’s in our interests,” Rice said. “Nations that protect human rights are more stable, more peaceful and more prosperous partners for the United States.”

Tuesday’s forum was the latest administrative attempt by Obama to promote gay and lesbian rights both in the United States and abroad.

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Obama successfully pushed to repeal the ban on gays serving openly in the military and his administration stopped defending the Defense of Marriage Act years before the Supreme Court took it up.